mute swan
Americannoun
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a commonly domesticated soundless white swan, Cygnus olor, of Europe and Asia.
noun
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a Eurasian swan, Cygnus olor, with a pure white plumage, an orange-red bill with a black base, and a curved neck Compare whistling swan
Etymology
Origin of mute swan
First recorded in 1775–85
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A mute swan is less vocal than other swan species, though not completely silent, and are present year-round.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 23, 2025
Alfie the mute swan may be the world's first jet-ski refugee.
From Salon • Jul. 19, 2021
“The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife does not authorize relocation for mute swan since they are an exotic species,” Ms. Espinosa said.
From New York Times • Jul. 10, 2021
A mute swan swam past on the way back to its nest, and two catbirds scavenged the ground, pecking in the gathering darkness.
From The New Yorker • Aug. 27, 2019
Spoilt for choice we went with this mute swan from Alison Brown to represent the seven swans-a-swimming.
From BBC • Dec. 25, 2013
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.